Education in the Family
Alison Fullmer
Brigham Young University Idaho
“Our
religion prompts us to search diligently after knowledge,” taught President
Brigham Young. “There is no other people in existence more eager to see, hear,
learn and understand truth. The education of his children has always been a
priority of our Father in Heaven.” (Gardner, 1992). In Doctrine and Covenants
131:6 we are taught,“ It is impossible for a man to be saved in
ignorance.” Joseph Smith was
instrumental in outlining what the lord would have his children do when he
presented through divine revelation, the articles of faith. The thirteenth article of faith clearly
explains to those that do not know our view of education, "If there is
anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after
these things." In 1833, Joseph
Smith founded the Church's first educational effort, the School of the
Prophets, in Kirtland, Ohio. That school was devoted to the study of history,
political science, languages (including Hebrew), literature, and theology. Its
main purpose was to prepare Church leaders to magnify their callings as
missionaries to warn all people and testify of the gospel as stated in Doctrine
and Covenants section 88:80. It also set an example of adult learning that was
followed "in Missouri, Illinois, and Utah, where parents joined their
children in the pursuit of knowledge" (Gardner, 1992, p. 10).
The
Church has been built on the conviction that eternal progress depends upon
righteous living and growth in knowledge, religious and secular. It should be
obvious that we revere education. Our
faith meets regularly to educate saints on how to live a more Christ-like
life. We also have publications devoted
to helping us achieve our full potential on earth.
Elder
Russell M. Nelson stressed the importance of education many times in his
ministry. For example, on January 26, 2010, at a BYU–Idaho devotional, he
explained to students that, “obtaining an education is not just an opportunity,
it’s also a religious responsibility.”
He went on to say, “Your mind is precious! It is sacred, Therefore, the
education of one’s mind is also sacred. Indeed, education is a religious
responsibility. Of course, our opportunities and abilities will vary a great
deal. But, in the pursuit of one’s education, individual desire is more
important than is the institution you choose; personal drive is more
significant than is the faculty. Our Creator expects His children everywhere to
gain an education as a personal endeavor. He issued this commandment: “Seek ye
diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best
books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith. When you
leave this frail existence, your material possessions will remain here, but the
Lord has declared that the knowledge you acquire here will rise with you in the
resurrection as stated in Doctrine and Covenants 130: 18-19, Whatever principle
of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.
And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his
diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the
world to come.” In light of this celestial perspective, if you impulsively drop
out or otherwise cut short your education, you would not only disregard a
divine decree but also abbreviate your own eternal potential.” (Nelson, 2010).
We are
encouraged to gain knowledge because we are created in God image. If we think about it, a wise Father-in-Heaven
would always be learning and progressing.
He would expect no less from his children. In order to be of service to
others we need to be educated. We need
to be educated to be of service to those in the community in which we live and
also those closest to us, in or families. In a message published in the New Era
magazine in April 2009, President Eyring said, “The Lord and His Church have always
encouraged education to increase our ability to serve Him and our Heavenly
Father’s children. For each of us, whatever our talents, He has service for us
to give. And to do it well always involves learning, not once or for a limited
time, but continually.” (Eyring, 2009). Thomas S. Monson is quoted as saying,
“Today’s world is competitive, more than it’s ever been. I believe men and
women need to get a type of education which will enable them to meet the exigencies
[urgent needs] of life. Men and women need to be prepared for a vastly broader
scope than we’ve ever had before. ... [The Perpetual Education Fund] is a fund
that will go far into the future.” (Monson, 2008).
In a
report given by Buckner they found that Education is foundational in determining
a child's quality of life. But it isn't just the child's education that
matters. Uneducated adults have a hard time finding jobs, and without jobs they
can't feed their children. And when adults can't feed their children, they
become vulnerable to abuse and neglect, child labor, trafficking and
homelessness. Many children end up living in an institution where they receive
two meals and a bed, but have little hope for their future. Some end up alone
or on the streets. Nelson Mandela is
quoted saying, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to
change the world.” (The Connecticut
Commission on Children, 2004).
President
Gordon B. Hinckley has repeatedly stressed the importance of getting an
education. He see’s education as an
escape from poverty as well as a tool to serve others and be happy, truly happy. Hinckley stated, “Be smart. You are all in school. Do not waste your
time. This is a time of great opportunity that you will never have again as long
as you live. Make the most of it right now. It is wonderfully challenging. It
is hard, it is tough, isn’t it? But what a wonderful thing to go and learn of
all the accumulated knowledge of all the centuries of time. Go on to college or
whatever school, vocational school, whatever your choice is, but take advantage
of every opportunity that you have because the Lord has laid upon you a mandate
through revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith concerning not only spiritual
learning but secular learning. Yours is the responsibility, and you can’t
afford to waste your time. There is so much to learn. Be smart. Give it the
very best that you have. It is up to us to facilitate the change for
good through education.” (Hinckley, 2005, p. 395-396)
References
Bednar, D, A. (1999). Understanding is a
Wellness of Life. http://www2.byui.edu/Presentations/Transcripts/EducationWeek/1999_06_03_Bednar.htm
Eyring, H, B. (2009). Real Life Education. New Era, Education Learning and Earning.
pp 2-8
Gardner, D, P. (1992). Education: Attitudes
toward Education. http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Education
Hinckley, G, B. (2005). Discourses of President Gordon B. Hinckley, Vol 1: 1995-1999. Pp. 395-396
Monson, T, S. (2008). The General Authorities.
Nelson, R, M. (2010). Education: A Religious
Responsibility. http://www2.byui.edu/Presentations/Transcripts/Devotionals/2010_01_26_Nelson.htm
The Connecticut Commission on Children. (2004).
Children and the Long Term Effect of Poverty. http://www.cga.ct.gov/coc/pdfs/poverty/2004_poverty_report.pdf
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